Diagnosed with genital hsv-1 following a positive swab test (they swabbed sores), this has dashed any hopes of false positive, which specialist am i better off seeing for the questions i have about hsv-1. an std physician or a dermatologist?

Either specialist can be highly expert, but unfortunately many don't have a complete understanding, especially about the important differences between genital infection with HSV types 1 and 2. In your country, an STD physician may be best, but that's not a guarantee. In a way you're lucky: genital HSV1 usually recurs rarely and is rarely transmitted to partners. Treatment usually isn't needed.